Motivations

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about motivation. When we’re young, we think everyone wants the same thing and what motivates one person should motivate everyone. Then you enter the non-profit world and move to Berlin and you see that people are motivated by a whole set of factors, some you share, some you don’t and some you just don’t understand.

I’ve spent almost a year now living in a foreign culture, working with community leaders, volunteers, families, etc. all connected by the shared desire to be involved in what Jewish life exists here. I came to Berlin with a few goals of my own, but mainly to keep my mind open. I came searching for answers to questions: which values are shared by this community? What are their hopes? What motivates them?

I’m discovering all the time through this experience what motivates me – challenges, laughter, recognition – and I’ve really enjoyed learning this about myself. But what motivates my peers and this community that I’m serving? What inspires, for instance, parents to bring their children to Bambinim? What motivates our volunteers? Which of our goals intertwine and compliment each other?

With almost a year behind me, after many questions, observations, and seminars, I’m still figuring this out. But it’s okay. The quest motivates me and I’m not the only one.